Michael S. Lemon
Republican | Maryland
Candidate Profile*
Insufficient Information
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Michael S. Lemon
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 5
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
Previous Races
OTHER INFORMATION
Michael Lemon completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022.
QUESTIONNAIRE*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
I do not believe abortion should be federally funded.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I am pro life however I do recognize that there are exceptions that need to be allowed. Any medical situation where the life of the mother is in danger, I support the choice of abortion in order to save the mother. ie ectopic pregnancy. I also recognize that if the fetus is deformed and has no chance of survival, I understand the reason for that choice. There are mothers who choose to forgo chemotherapy in order for there child to live. That kind of choice takes a strong will, but I also lose no respect for women who choose to take the chemotherapy. Ultimately we are human and limited in our abilities. But especially during the last trimester there is a fetus with the right to life.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Disagree
I disagree with just taking money just because someone has more. Although I am open to fixing the tax code. Taxes are mainly written for a 9-5 salary, but in today's world there are non traditional ways of making money. The wealthy should pay there fair share as well as the common man. It is then the government's responsibility to take those taxes and use them on social programs, defense spending, infrastructure etc.
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
I strongly Agree with this statement. I love the fact that we as a nation can afford social programs to help people. It should be the goal of these programs to help and put people in a better spot after a certain time. I believe the goal of any social program should be to leave any person better than when they first sought help. Finally wasteful spending like studying the effects of cocaine on quail is a waste and an insult to Americans. That money was wasted instead of helping someone in need.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Did not answer
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Neutral
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
This question is a bit nuanced but I will provide my train of thoughts on this issue. Generally this question is referring to the case of the Christian baker and the cake.(Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission)The baker did not refuse to sell a cake but refused to simply decorate a certain way. So in the end he wasn't discriminating just refusing to do the extra work. It is illegal to deny service based on race etc. But business have the right to chose what services they offer
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
We have separation of church and state. This does not mean the state should ban all religion but it should provide no favoritism or suppression of any religion. I agree with justice Gorsuch in his recent opinion. It was the coaches own personal views to have a prayer at the end of the game. Being able to express your religion is a fundamental right that is guaranteed to us.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
There should be rare instances when the an employer should require a vaccination. Its possible to make a case when health care workers are involved. Although the state needs to allow exceptions due to health and religious views. The reason for this is because there is no one size solution when it comes to health. People's bodies react different ways and have different tolerances.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
Option B) Healthcare is a complex topic but that does not mean I believe there is no solution. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This motto is core to my beliefs in healthcare. Catching problems early can vastly decrease the expenses down the road. I believe in adding a program focused on preventative health in order to lessen the burden on our healthcare system.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
I believe the united states should help countries when it is able to but it also needs to do what is best for America first and foremost.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
I disagree with the BDS movement. Israel has shown a much better track record for the LGBT community. If an individual citizen chooses to support the BDS that is their right.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Yes the government of china has been shown to spy and steal military secrets. I would sponsor bills that work to bringing back American jobs from china in order to lessen our reliance on them.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Did not answer
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
I agree with enforcing our immigration laws that are on the books.
State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
When it comes to legal immigration, I am for it. In fact i believe we can increase our quota for legal immigrants but we need stop illegal immigrants.
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
I am fine with people loving who they want.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
The united states was founded on the ideas of natural rights and separation of powers. Slavery was an evil that united states participated in. However while that stain is in our past, I like many Americans treat people on the content of their character and not the color of their skin. While we may not always live perfectly to Martin Luther king's dream, I believe many are working to make it a reality.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I come from a Christian background but have also studied some philosophers. I have always had a natural curiosity as well. I have studied electricity and gravity. I can be a bit idealistic but I try apply a realist side to get things done.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I am not a fan of mail in voting, but I like the convivence of going in and getting early voting when needed.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
I do not think this will help.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I believe it can be. But i believe there are more good people in America.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
currently maryland gets 40 percent of its energy from using natural gas. While i want to focus more on nuclear in the future, natural gas is still needed for the time being.
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A)
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Choose not to answer
Depending on the issue, I lean certain ways. I did not open up a book and select my views. They are made from learning various things and life experience. I encourage voters to email me (michael@lemon2022.us) for clarification. By having an honest discussion with voters, I believe we can achieve more.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
no
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I am out here working for you. I am a grassroots candidate who wants to see change happen in Washington. The only way i can achieve that is through the will of the people. It has been an extremely hard year for most and i want to put the American people first.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Neutral
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Did not answer
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
As terrible as gun violence is, its a person behind the trigger. We must tackle this issue from that perspective. We need to work to stop people from having the desire to pull the trigger on innocent people.
